Pressing machine



(Oct. 10, 1950 A. AsTPHAN PRESSING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 17, 1949 Inventor 'AZ/Frea'sLjU/za/z Attorneys Oct. l0, 1950 A. AsTPHAN PRESSING MACHINE 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed May 17, 1949 Patented Oct. 10, 1950 PRESSING MACHINE Alfred Astphan, oliette, Quebec, Canada Application May 17, 1949, Serial No. 93,751

The present invention relates to a pressing ma- I chine.

More specifically, this invention concerns a machine for pressing fabrics, or finished articles of clothing, the articles being placed over forms for the pressing operation and removed therefrom afterward. Such machines are particularly useful where a large number of similar goods must be pressed economically and rapidly; for example, in a clothing factory.

Naturally the advantages of such a machine havebeen recognized for some time,`and devices of various types have been constructed; However, difficulty has been encountered inparticular in devising suitable co-operation between the articleholding forms and the heated press. As things stand, there is demand for a machine wherein the forms are easily and quickly inserted in the press (those in operative position being left for a time while others are adjusted) and removed therefrom after a suitable interval.

The main object of the present invention isto provide an improved machine of the character described which is especially adapted for the mass production pressing of similar articles of fabric. The machine envisaged will turn out large numbers of articles with a minimum of labour and supervision.

Another important object resides in the provision of a machine as Set forth above, the invention is shown in the annexed drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the machine when inoperative; v f

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of thepress proper with part thereof in operative position;4

Fig. 3 shows an elevation view, partly in section, parallel to the press plates;

Fig. 4 shows a detail plan view, partly in section, taken longitudinally of a portion of the press;

Fig. 5 shows a detail elevation View, partly in section, taken longitudinally of a portion of the press;

Fig. 6 is a detail indicating plate construction for an alternative heating method; which is exceedingly simple in design and is readily understood and operated by anyone of normal intelligence.

As an example, and for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment of Fig. 'I shows a section taken along the line I-T of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 8 is a section along the line 8--8 of Fig. 7.

Still another object is to provide such a machine which is usable for the pressing of a wide variety of articles of fabric, the article forms 1 Claim. (Cl. 223--76) 2 beingv provided, if desirable, in interchangeable Sets. j Yet another object is to provide a machine of the nature set forth which is relatively inexpen- 1 sive to build and operate, and which is of durable construction.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent, or be further pointed out, in the description to follow.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the same reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout, the press proper is seen to be mounted in a rigid structure represented in this case by the posts I0, front and rear longitudinal beams I I and crossbars I2 connecting the upper ends of the posts, and right-angled brackets I3 and I4 carried on the beams to support the press plates and controls.

The press includes, as usual, fixed plates I5 and parallel movable plates I6, the latter movable against the former to press articles of fabric arranged between. In a machine of this type, a plurality of plates are utilized and for maximum efficiency may be placed in sets of three, the outer plates ofeach set or group being movable inward against the middle fixed plate l5 in operation.

For 'greater convenience to the operator, the plates are arranged in parallel transverse the framework in upright position. The fixed plates `I5 are secured between brackets I4. The outer 'and away `from plates I5) have spacedly secured to each end, centrally.(see Figs. 7 and 8) an upright barv I8, .Between'the latterand the end of each plate I6, at the-top and bottom of bar I 8, is journalled al roller I9. VThis pair of rollers engages the projecting end of horizontal bar 20, one of which is secured across the top of each bracket I3 in order to support the plate I6 at each end for lateral movement. The rollers I9 may be rotatably mounted on bolts` 2| connecting plates I6 with'bars I8, and, if desired, the bars I8 may have horizontal slots 22 therethrough for an additional lateral-sliding connection with bar 2li as by bolts 23.

Considering the manner in which the outer plates of each group may be positively moved inward for the pressing operation, it is seen that corresponding to each plate I6. and outside the latter, a shaft 25 extends transversely of the press being journalled in brackets I3 and projecting out therefrom. Upon these shafts, and at each end, are keyed sleeves 26. The sleeves on the front ends of the shafts are provided at their outer ends with a laterally projecting lever arm 21 and at their inner ends with a cam 28.

The rear sleeves need have only cams identical to 28 formed thereon, since all these cams are adapted to bear against the outer edges of adjacent bars I8 in order to force the latter, and hence the movable plates, inward for pressing.

A preferred method for positively displacing sleeves 26, thus rotating cams 28 and moving the outer plates, is best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Extending down from the free end of each lever arm 21, and pivoted thereto is a rod 30. This lat- A ter is coupled intermediate the length of a handle 3| which is in turn pivotally secured at its inner end relative to beam Il. As handles-3| are moved down, so is lever arm 21 and the cams are so shaped as to force plate I E inward towards plate I5.

Between each iixed plates and its corresponding movable plate or plates it will be possible to insert articles of fabric for pressing purposes. For convenience in doing this, forms 4D are provided which may be of any particular'shapeor even in interchangeable sets for different types of articles. Those shown in the drawing are shaped to receive hosiery (say for the convenience of Aa manufacturer of socks and stockings) andare non-slidably pivoted at one end to a shaftll xed spacedly and longitudinally in front of the press.; Each form lll is swingable in'agvertic'al plane to either an 'operative position between a pair of co-operative plates or toan inoperative position'remote from the press-(preferably in the upright position of Fig. 1). The formsiwillpreferably be of' some durable metallic material, will be shaped'so as to make it easy to apply or remove articles for which they are designed, and may be controlled by handles such :as 42 with means for locking the form in its limiting positions.

It will be understood that for most effective pressing of the articles concerned, the plates I5 and I6 should be heated to an adequate temperature. This may be accomplished by any of the usual methods, steam or electric heating being usually foundmore suitable.

In Fig. 1, the steam inlet manifold is designated by 45 and has coupledfthereto flexible hoses vIII leading to each of the plates. Inlet apertures 41 allowentry of steam into thev interior of the hollow plates and they. may thus be maintained ata desired high temperature. Outletsll are provided at thejbottom of the plates, whence iiexible tubes 49,.(or rigid "pipes 5I) in the'case of xed plates) lead to an outlet manifold 5 I. f

For electric heating, the plates maybe constructedA` after the fashion shown in Fig. 6,

wherein a rigid sheet of insulation 52 inside a plate carries a heating coil 53 therearound, the terminals exiting preferably from the bottom of each plate at 54.

Obviously, from the foregoing, the present invention fulfills the objectives hereinbefore set forth.V The machine is indeed capable of handling quickly and eiciently (for pressing purposes) large numbers of articles of fabric. Whilst simple in design, the machine is durable and easily handled. A principal feature is the arrangement of the article-holding forms relative to the plates. In operation, the machine Vattendant may place a pair of articles on forms,

move the latter between a trio of plates, and

actuate the outer plates for pressing. He may thenV continue down the line while the first group of plates nish their work, returning after an interval to open out the plates and forms, remove the articles, and begin the cycle again. No time is lost and 1 no difficult operations requiring a high degree of skill are involved.

It will therefore be appreciated that I do not limitmyself to the particular embodiment of my invention herein shown and described, since obviously various alterations might be made in the size, shape and arrangement of parts, within the scope of the subjoined claim, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

In amachine of the character described for pressing fabric articles, at least one set of three .co-operative plates each of which sets includes a central xedplate and outer, parallel, laterallymovable plates, means'for selectively and positivelyiactuating said outer plates to take up an operative position pressing inward and an inoperative position spaced from the central plate, means for heating said plates, and a pair of article forms for each set of plates, said forms pivotally secured endwise of the plates, swingable to an operative position between and an inoperative position remote from said plates.

ALFRED ASTPHAN.

REFERENCES CITED vThe following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Lauzon Nov. 1, 1949 

